@vivsaunders.bsky.social
Fwiw, I've been advised that an updated in camera report went to Council on April 9, 2025. Guess they saw the value of over $55 million 'going to the dogs' and keeping the details confidential 🤤
December 17, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Fwiw, I've been advised that an updated in camera report went to Council on April 9, 2025. Guess they saw the value of over $55 million 'going to the dogs' and keeping the details confidential 🤤
Holy crap! That project id number is for the new Hamilton-Burlington SPCA ! Cc @joeycoleman.ca
December 15, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Holy crap! That project id number is for the new Hamilton-Burlington SPCA ! Cc @joeycoleman.ca
Thanks for pointing that Ward 8 one out. It was in 2025 budget for a total project cost of $12.875 million (debt). With 1.5m spent in 2025, it’s now over $55,000,000 ! Surely we should be told something since it also appears to be debt financed @joeycoleman.ca ?
December 14, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Thanks for pointing that Ward 8 one out. It was in 2025 budget for a total project cost of $12.875 million (debt). With 1.5m spent in 2025, it’s now over $55,000,000 ! Surely we should be told something since it also appears to be debt financed @joeycoleman.ca ?
Curious what the results were. Do you know?
November 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Curious what the results were. Do you know?
You're welcome. A lot of people don't realize this VUT only applies when the building/prop has 6 residential units or less under one ownership. It also appears to exclude certain classes of Retail businesses with a few apartments above. Councillors know this. Majority chose to ignore reality
October 30, 2025 at 7:04 PM
You're welcome. A lot of people don't realize this VUT only applies when the building/prop has 6 residential units or less under one ownership. It also appears to exclude certain classes of Retail businesses with a few apartments above. Councillors know this. Majority chose to ignore reality
Ah, now I see. Even if the intent is to house someone; and multiple people are housed for years. Prop A - disgruntled neighbour or ex that has all the records, can call a HotLine & subject you to VUT. Prop B - no risk of VUT. Which would the majority of purchasers pick?
October 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Ah, now I see. Even if the intent is to house someone; and multiple people are housed for years. Prop A - disgruntled neighbour or ex that has all the records, can call a HotLine & subject you to VUT. Prop B - no risk of VUT. Which would the majority of purchasers pick?
I'm trying to unravel our by-law & the legislation. It appears that apartments that fall within the Multi-Rez or new Multi-Rez are not captured (don't have to pay). However, condos (ind owned units)that are rented out via a mgmnt corp, are subject to VUT but in '26 new ones have a grace period.
October 30, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I'm trying to unravel our by-law & the legislation. It appears that apartments that fall within the Multi-Rez or new Multi-Rez are not captured (don't have to pay). However, condos (ind owned units)that are rented out via a mgmnt corp, are subject to VUT but in '26 new ones have a grace period.
Huh? Condos are housing. Some are rented on the primary market and some on the secondary market. We have thousands of condo apartments, townhomes etc so I'm not understanding what you're saying
October 30, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Huh? Condos are housing. Some are rented on the primary market and some on the secondary market. We have thousands of condo apartments, townhomes etc so I'm not understanding what you're saying
I've noticed that there has been some improvement here, in that vacant lands in my area that have been rezoned to Multi-Res are now in the Multi-Res vacant land sub-class. The AVs are low though imo, but I don't know much about what goes into that type of assessment at MPAC.
October 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I've noticed that there has been some improvement here, in that vacant lands in my area that have been rezoned to Multi-Res are now in the Multi-Res vacant land sub-class. The AVs are low though imo, but I don't know much about what goes into that type of assessment at MPAC.
Evidence, no. Just sharing what people who looked to buy factored in when deciding not to buy. Condo buyers are taking their time in today's market, doing their homework, and being choosy. Same applies to buyers for all types of housing
October 30, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Evidence, no. Just sharing what people who looked to buy factored in when deciding not to buy. Condo buyers are taking their time in today's market, doing their homework, and being choosy. Same applies to buyers for all types of housing
This project hit all the boxes & was 60% sold but basically dried up overnight. We also have over 6,000 rentals in arrears. All of that, in combo with other factors, affects the market
October 29, 2025 at 9:47 PM
This project hit all the boxes & was 60% sold but basically dried up overnight. We also have over 6,000 rentals in arrears. All of that, in combo with other factors, affects the market
People are building ADUs for uses down the road. Agree very few would buy condos with intent to keep empty. However, people are also choosing to buy outside city where there is no risk of being charged VUT, hassle of annual reporting or requirement for 3 yrs of a substantial amount of records.
October 29, 2025 at 9:47 PM
People are building ADUs for uses down the road. Agree very few would buy condos with intent to keep empty. However, people are also choosing to buy outside city where there is no risk of being charged VUT, hassle of annual reporting or requirement for 3 yrs of a substantial amount of records.
And the ones that really made me go 🤪. Farms where owner is a farmer- yes. Rural farm properties where landowners arent farmers but have a small tree farm area- no
October 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
And the ones that really made me go 🤪. Farms where owner is a farmer- yes. Rural farm properties where landowners arent farmers but have a small tree farm area- no
It plays a significant role in the potential purchasers decision making process
October 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It plays a significant role in the potential purchasers decision making process
Based on what I could find out there is a massive misunderstanding of which props VUT applies to. I could be wrong however imo - Condos yes. Multi residential apts no. residential six plex or less yes. strip plaza with 6 or less above yes. Place with more than 6, even if all are vacant, no.
October 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Based on what I could find out there is a massive misunderstanding of which props VUT applies to. I could be wrong however imo - Condos yes. Multi residential apts no. residential six plex or less yes. strip plaza with 6 or less above yes. Place with more than 6, even if all are vacant, no.
They’re condos (individually owned) so they’re captured in VUT. Unlike buildings that are in MultiResidentail property class (rental apartments) which aren’t subject to VUT (don’t declare)
October 29, 2025 at 2:53 PM
They’re condos (individually owned) so they’re captured in VUT. Unlike buildings that are in MultiResidentail property class (rental apartments) which aren’t subject to VUT (don’t declare)
It’s sad downtown lost this project. I hope Council aren’t blind to the likelihood the Vacant Unit tax bylaw was part of this demise.
October 29, 2025 at 12:48 PM
It’s sad downtown lost this project. I hope Council aren’t blind to the likelihood the Vacant Unit tax bylaw was part of this demise.
I gave up watching too. Was very much in support of VUT but now not sure. City expanded zoning to allow upto 4 plexes; but on the flip side, that landlord sector are the ones most at risk. Doesn't sit right. Seems like a targeted by-law for a type of housing stock w/ low vacancy rates
October 23, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I gave up watching too. Was very much in support of VUT but now not sure. City expanded zoning to allow upto 4 plexes; but on the flip side, that landlord sector are the ones most at risk. Doesn't sit right. Seems like a targeted by-law for a type of housing stock w/ low vacancy rates
I must admit her question did give me pause but I learned something. I had no idea that one could be paying their property taxes yet if they don’t fill out declaration and don’t pay VUT, their home could be sold by city for tax arrears but have no grounds for a lawsuit (unless I misunderstood?)
October 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I must admit her question did give me pause but I learned something. I had no idea that one could be paying their property taxes yet if they don’t fill out declaration and don’t pay VUT, their home could be sold by city for tax arrears but have no grounds for a lawsuit (unless I misunderstood?)
Oh wow! 2 councillors who represent rural residents voted No on a report back from Staff on only the feasibility of providing a credit to rural residents?! Am I reading that right?
October 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Oh wow! 2 councillors who represent rural residents voted No on a report back from Staff on only the feasibility of providing a credit to rural residents?! Am I reading that right?
Unless Mayor exercises her Strong Mayor's power?
October 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Unless Mayor exercises her Strong Mayor's power?
Who voted how back in March?
September 28, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Who voted how back in March?